Wild caught ornamental fish The trade, the benefits, the facts U.S. Version Posted on December 29, 2017 by pijacuser Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and the Pet Leadership Council (PLC) would like to thank the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) for providing this Wild Caught Report for a global perspective on the Ornamental Fish Industry, with which we then focus on our U.S. story. Welcome Keith Davenport, Chief Executive Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association The ‘voice’ of the ornamental aquatic trade in the UK Ornamental fish are caught in very small volumes but command high prices relative to other local uses of the same species. Demand will always be limited because not everyone wants to keep an aquarium. It’s estimated that more than 90% of ornamental marine fish and invertebrates, like coral, and between five and 10% of freshwater fish entering the ornamental fish trade are caught in the wild for aquarium keepers to enjoy in their homes. Fishermen earn a living from their local rainforest rivers, rift valley lakes or coral reefs in some of the most remote countries in the world and are directly dependent on these habitats remaining healthy. Habitats can be protected because communities rely on them. The industry’s reach is almost global and not only provides benefits to fishermen by giving them a sustainable livelihood, but benefits many others besides. Exporting countries earn important foreign currency, which trickles down throughout their economy, supporting a myriad of other businesses that provide goods and services to all the people involved. Read More This industry can also play its part in meeting the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It provides livelihoods to sustainable artisanal fisheries and thus avoids poverty, by providing income from exports and income to feed, clothe and provide education for families, and it can help to avoid climate change by maintaining pristine rainforests and the carbon fixed in them. Wild caught fish: key facts Wild caught fish: key facts It provides vital livelihoods for tens of thousands of fishermen & communities in remote areas that have fewer employment opportunities & less welfare provision Local people use and maintain local resources to make a living The source country benefits are monetary, technological and information-based Fishkeepers are knowledgeable of habitats like reefs and rainforests and aree mpathetic to their conservation needs Fish are collected with the sole aim of keeping them alive Fish are caught with very small nets compared to trawlers (for food fishing) It is a targeted catch – with virtually no bycatch Fish in aquariums live longer than in the wild I T I S A L O W V O L U M E , H I G H V A L U E H O B B Y , W I T H L I M I T E D D E M A N D O N R E S O U R C E S . Why, where & how? Trade not Aid Wild caught ornamental fish are most often caught in coastal and riverine communities where opportunities to earn a living are limited. Buying one wild fish is like a ripple on the water – your money supports not just the fisherman but also many other businesses along the supply chain within the country of origin. After all, you can’t catch fish without nets and you can’t export without packaging and airports. • Housing • Food • Clothing • Education • Healthcare • Mosquito nets • Household fuel • Plastic bags • Metal rings • Rubber bands • Box (cardboard and polystyrene) manufacturers • Oxygen • Knives/machetes • Diving equipment manufacturers/retailers • Net makers • Boats & motors manufacturers and retailers • Fuel oil • Repairs Contribution to: • Access roads • Airports • Schools • Utilities: water & electricity • Holding tanks • Filters & heaters • Pipework • Air & water pumps Country’s government (& employees) also benefit as taxes will be paid and some certificates, licences, health permits, and documents incur charges to the exporter • Van drivers • Vehicle parts, repairs and maintenance • Fuel Wild caught ornamental fish – An A-Z of global trade From Argentina to Zambia, over 50 countries spread across 5 continents participate in the collection and export of wild caught ornamental fish, corals and invertebrates. This truly global trade supports many small Pacific islands and countries that are recognised as having otherwise limited economic opportunities. Who’s buying them? Ornamental fish are enjoyed by people across the globe but the main markets are undoubtedly in North America, Europe and Japan. China also has a long tradition of keeping fish and, with an expanding middle class, this looks set to increase. There is also seems to be an emerging trend within India of producing ornamental fish both for export and to satisfy a rising interest in keeping fish, although there are no reliable statistics for this. How are fish caught? Catching wild fish for aquariums is mainly done by hand, using a minimum of equipment. This allows fishermen to carefully select how and what they catch – often targeting the species of interest they have orders for. This causes a minimum of damage to the habitats where fish live. And of course great care has to be taken because the fish need to be alive and in good condition in order to travel around the world and be healthy when sold. Natural objects Fish, like catfish and cichlids, hide in submerged wood, rocks and shells which can be picked up and gently shaken over nets to catch them. Chase & net Fish are shepherded into a handheld net using a paddle in both freshwater rivers, like the cardinal tetra in Brazil, and on coral reefs. Stop nets, usually a couple of metres long, are also used by reef divers. Fish caught up in them are picked out by hand, causing little disturbance to the reef. Hand picked Usually sedentary fish, starfish, crustaceans and sea cucumbers at the seashore, along with freshwater fish caught in muddy floodplains, are caught by hand, mostly by women as a subsistence activity to bring in a bit of extra income as they fish for food. Traps Traps are set either with bait to lure fish into them or to capitalise on the fish’s natural behaviour, like clown loach which naturally live in hollow wood so fishermen place bundles of bamboo pipes on the river bottom. Traps are widely used in Africa, although research shows only a small range of fish is caught this way. Active netting Seine nets (larger nets pulled in by hand) are not widely used for catching ornamental fish although sometimes nets are used to sweep up woody debris where discus hide. Nets are also used to catch adult arowana fish to harvest fingerlings before the adult fish are released back into the water. Diving Snorkelling requires little investment but fishing is restricted to hand picking or hand nets. At slightly greater depths, hookah and scuba diving are the main ways to catch fish, again with hand-held or larger nets, or to collect corals by hand. This is expensive equipment so often it’s the wealthier fishermen who do this or it’s supplied by a middleman/exporter. Case Study Brazil When fishers are asked what they would do if they could not sell fish, the most common answers are: timber harvest, cattle, ranching, gold mining or urban migration. Project Piaba Website Conservation and celebration The lower and middle Rio Negro in the state of Amazonas launched the ornamental fish trade in Brazil when cardinal tetras were discovered in the 1950s. These tiny fish contributed 65% to the town of Barcelos economy and, in its heyday, the trade employed at least 1,000 families directly – not counting supporting industries. Read full case study report The fish’s journey From the wild to a US home Catching the Fish Fish that can be sold are caught by hand or net, then bagged or put into life support containers and then landed on shore. On Shore The fish either go direct to the exporter or are stored for the exporters agent to collect to take to their facility. Good Husbandry The fish are rested & acclimatised in special tanks, and prepared for overseas export, ensuring they have the right permits and licences. Ready for Export After examination the fish are doubled-bagged in specialised containers, boxed and clearly labelled with dates & advisory notes before export. On Arrival The fish and paperwork are inspected by customs (including vets) at the Border Inspection Posts before going direct to the importer facilities. Acclimation The fish must be rested and acclimatised by wholesalers and/or retailers before being put on sale Ready to sell Retailers ensure care information is given to customers and the fish are suitably packed for their journey to their new home. Into your aquarium Aquarium owners in the UK do a lot of careful research before adding fish, corals & invertebrates to their tanks. Did you know? Fish must have internationally recognised health certificates, export/import permits or licences, and any necessary CITES documents to travel. To ensure good conditions on the flight, bags contain 1/3 water and 2/3 oxygen; heat or ice packs are put in the containers to ensure suitable temperatures are maintained. Over 99% of all ornamental fish imported to the US, specifically to wholesaler Segrest Farms, survive the journey. USFW, Habitattitude, and OATA along with other international pet trade bodies, campaign to make sure people understand they should never release ornamental fish & plants into the wild. How fish are protected by regulations Unlike food fishing, the aquarium industry is based on catching and selling live specimen fish, so it’s in the best interests of all involved, and commercially prudent, to keep them healthy and as stress-free as possible at every stage of their journey.